Published: 2:16am, 12 Feb 2025Updated: 2:41am, 12 Feb 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday threatened to withdraw from the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and resume its fight against Hamas if the militant group does not go ahead with the next scheduled release of hostages on Saturday.
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Hamas said Monday – and reiterated Tuesday – that it planned to delay the release of three more hostages after accusing Israel of failing to meet the terms of the ceasefire, including by not allowing enough tents and other aid into Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has emboldened Israel to call for the release of even more hostages on Saturday, but it was not immediately clear whether Netanyahu’s threat referred to the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza, or just the three scheduled for release on Saturday.
Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli official said Netanyahu ordered the army to add more troops in and around the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu also ordered officials “to prepare for every scenario if Hamas doesn’t release our hostages this Saturday”, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting.
Israel had signalled on Monday that it planned to reinforce defences along the Gaza border. The all-scenario plan was announced during a four-hour meeting between Netanyahu and his security cabinet that focused on Hamas’ threat, which risks jeopardising the three-week-old ceasefire.
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So far, Hamas has released 21 hostages in a series of exchanges for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.